Author's note. Sorry for the delay, I've been busy with exams for the last while.

I'm afraid the issue of Sirius hasn't been resolved, people either want him or don't. So, I've set up a poll on my profile for people to vote about whether not he should he in this story.

If I did use him, he wouldn't replace Severus, his role would be similar to Remus, just helping to protect Harry. And on that note, everyone does seem to want Remus, so I will introduce him at some point.

Suggestions welcome.

Enjoy and please review.

Continued

"What are you proposing?" Severus asked softly, suddenly feeling very uneasy. Even more so than when Lucius first uttered Harry's name.

"Harry Potter has influence and maybe even great power," Lucius began, his voice now very soft.

"But he is still a child and will now need guidance. No doubt Dumblebdore will be planning to be the guiding Gryffindor hand. But what if someone else got there first?"

"What are you proposing?" Severus said softly, not moving in his seat, betraying no emotion.

Lucius's smile got wider before saying.

"That I, that is to say, we take control of the boy who lived. Before he reaches Hogwarts."

Severus stared at Lucius, his heart thumping wildly. The implications of Lucius's words had hit him like a ton of bricks, metaphorically knocking the wind out of him. What was he going to do?

"Before he reaches Hogwarts?" he now said calmly, his spy training not betraying a single emotion.

"Exactly," Lucius said, his tone revealing his eagerness.

"Now, from what you've told me, Dumbledore is leaving the boy alone until he arrives at Hogwarts, yes?"

"Indeed, the Headmaster wants him to have a proper, carefree childhood," Severus admitted softly.

"Perfect," Lucius purred. "So, we would have first shot at him."

At this point Severus raised a hand and said.

"While I'm...intrigued, how do you propose going about finding Potter. Dumbledore has never revealed where he lives, only that he's with family. And he'd be suspicious if I ask, he knows full well I'm not looking forward to encountering Potter's spawn."

Lucius waved this away.

"I'm not asking you to ruin your relationship with Dumbledore," he said with a slight sneer.

"No, we're going to be a lot more cunning about it. As I understand, kidnapping won't work. The old man's made it clear that Potter cannot to be touched this way. But, if the boy came along willingly..."

"How?" Severus asked bluntly. "He'll have been warned about strangers, and though I don't hold much store for his overall intelligence, he'd be a fool to follow a complete stranger."

"An adult yes," Lucius agreed before adding slyly. "But what about a child?"

"And which child would that be?" Severus asked softly, now realising Lucius's plan.

Lucius smiled and twirled his wand in his hands.

"Hmm, I was considering Draco but he is still very young for such a part. And then I thought about Polyjuice but that wouldn't work either as the person talking to Potter must have no ill intent."

Severus raised an eyebrow.

"And is your intent ill?"

Lucius smiled.

"Not as long as the boy cooperates."

He suddenly stood up, clapping his hands together.

"Ah, I think we've dallied enough, Narcissa will be wondering what has become of us."

"Does Narcissa know of your plan? I assume you would bring him here?" Severus asked curiously.

"She enjoys Draco having friends round, she'd be happy for the boy to come over."

Severus nodded as they headed to the Malfoy's dining room with its long table which was filled at one end with sumptuous food. Draco and Narcissa were already there, Narcissa sitting to the left of the head of the table while Draco sat beside her.

Although the young boy was holding himself aloft, he was eying the food hungrily. Only ground in Pureblood manners kept him from going for it.

"So sorry to keep you waiting ,my dears," Lucius in a surprisingly warm voice.

"Me and Severus got a little carried away talking about things."

"That's alright my dear," Narcissia said with a smile. She was one of the lucky ones, Severus mused in that she actually loved her husband and had done ever since school. Most girls in these arranged marriages weren't that lucky.

Lucius sat down at the table's head with Severus on his right. Clapping his hands together, Lucius simply said.

"Let us eat."

Meanwhile back at Spinner's End.

Minerva smiled as Harry dozed in his place on the sofa. After such an exciting day he was worn out both physically and mentally. She'd told him quite a bit about his parents and he'd drank it all in. But as the evening had worn on, his eyes had gradually drooped and he'd drifted off into sleep.

She hadn't stopped him, he looked like he needed it.

And after she had learned about him, she was determined he would never be neglected again. She'd adopt him herself if necessary. Though she hoped that wasn't necessary as she wasn't young and Harry deserved someone who could keep up with him.

Teaching children was one thing but being a parent was another matter all together. Every time she went on one of those school trips Albus liked to organise, she ended up needing a holiday of her own. Mind you, it was somewhat amusing watching Severus glower at the children having fun.

She chuckled, her colleague really needed to loosen up a little.

She suspected he enjoyed his 'bat of the dungeons' reputation more than he let on and also loved giving little children the impression that he lived to torment them. Which was far from the truth as young Harry proved. Severus had so far been very understanding with him, even giving him little treats.

He'd make a perfect guardian, being neither indulgent nor neglectful. But of course, there were so many factors involved, would Harry be safe here? There were many who would harm him or use him for their own purposes. Like some of those pompous idiots at the Ministry, most of them definitely wouldn't have Harry's best interests at heart.

She suddenly sighed, she had remembered Albus's reasons for placing Harry with those frightful Muggles. At least in the Muggle world, he could grow up without being constantly hounded by simpering admirers and conniving politicians. It really would be enough to turn his head and make him into something that was like James Potter at his worst.

Although James Potter had been a talented student and a courageous man, he had been somewhat out of control during most of his time at Hogwarts. He had never seen the harm in cursing other students for no good reason and had constantly broken the rules. And though he had usually been punished, they just didn't faze him. He did them and then went back to plotting more mischief.

He had been filled with arrogance that none of his teachers could break him of. And sadly, his elderly parents had utterly spoiled him and their discipline of him was minimal. So all in all, he'd had no real boundaries except that he never did anything that could permanently harm.

But that was the thing, James hadn't realised that you didn't have to cut someone's arm off to do them serious, lasting harm. His constantly mocking and tormenting of Severus had helped to drive that young man into the arms of the dark lord.

At least in his last year, he had started to take things seriously and with the help of Lily, settled down considerably.

When Harry had been born, James had been bursting with pride, especially as he'd managed to produce a Potter heir at so young an age. No doubt Lily's fresh blood had helped, most Pure Blooded couples had trouble conceiving. Another reason why the He Who Must Not Be Named's rants about Pure Blood superiority were utter nonsense.

Minerva had hoped that with Lily's common sense, Harry would grow up with a lot more boundaries than his father had. Though James would have been loving and very protective, he would have also been overly indulgent. Not to mention, he would have encouraged any mischief from Harry, taking it as a sign the boy was following in his footsteps.

She definitely didn't want him taking after James in that way.

"Mmmm,"

She glanced to the side as Harry mumbled in his sleep. His mouth was slightly open as he curled up into a ball on the sofa, now lying on his side. She decided that he really should get to bed, he was obviously really tired.

So with a flick of her wand, she levitated him and took him upstairs. Carefully, she placed him in the bed before tucking him in. He immediately snuggled down, a small smile of content on his face. She smiled, he really was a sweet child.

Just as she was making her way down the stairs, she heard the door open and close with a slight bang. She realised Severus must be back. The question was, how had his meeting with Lucius Malfoy had gone?

Author's note. Minerva and Severus discuss the situation. Find out how that goes next time. Since I doubt I'll update in the next few days, I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.